Behind the Front Page: The Story of the City News Bureau of Chicago

by A.A. Dornfeld, Mike Royko (Introduction)

Dornfeld, A. A.

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book's introduction, written by Mike Royko, a famous Chicago newspaper columnist, describes the book's author: "I don't recall if it was the left or right eye, but it appeared bigger than the other one. Bulging merciless, angry, all-knowing. And it didn't blink. The eye had the effect of the harsh, blinding lamp that cops used to shine in the face of a suspect they were questioning. You wanted to confess, admit your sins, plead guilty--anything to make that unblinking eye turn away." Rookie reporters at the Chicago City News Bureau (Royko was one) were trained by hard-nosed editors (this book's author being one). A CNB reporter's life was rough and tumble, one of positively responding to hard-bitten and demanding personalities, of adhering to no toleration for shoddy reporting or careless writing. Book is full of vivid reminiscences, scoops, fires, murders, corruption, murders, pimps, prostitutes, Capone, boat sinkings, the gamut of major city life. I loved reading about it all.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time, and one from which i quote year after year to the interns at our newspaper.

[Angela Ybarra]

Did not finish.